Cattle rush kicks off as Eid markets come alive

Five sale points join Shahpur Model Market

LAHORE:

The provincial capital's Eidul Azha cattle trade has begun with thousands of sacrificial animals arriving at newly designated markets across the city.

Residents started visiting sale points to assess prices ahead of the expected buying in coming weeks.

This year's Eid season marks a shift in how the city authorities are managing livestock trade. Gone are the familiar neighbourhood cattle camps and roadside stalls that once appeared across residential areas every year. In their place, the Punjab government has moved aggressively toward a centralised and regulated market system aimed at reducing congestion, improving sanitation and curbing illegal roadside sales.

Under the new arrangement, sacrificial animals are being redirected to five temporary sale points and the permanent Model Cattle Market at Shahpur Kanjran, managed by the Punjab Cattle Market Management and Development Company (PCMMDC).

The temporary markets established at Saggian, Wagah Sports Complex, Burki Road, LDA City and Raiwind will officially begin full operations this week, though animal arrivals and public visits have already started.

Officials say the move is designed to modernise Lahore's traditional cattle trade while easing pressure on densely populated neighbourhoods.

"This year, the focus is on organised and secure trading," a PCMMDC official said. "The city cannot continue accommodating large-scale roadside cattle markets inside residential areas."

The largest temporary market has been set up at LDA City on nearly 65 acres, while the Saggian and Raiwind sale points each span around 25 acres. Another major facility has been developed at the Wagah Sports Complex, covering approximately 50 acres.

Although trading activity remains in its early phase, buyers have begun visiting to compare prices and inspect animals before making final purchases closer to Eid.

Traders and officials expect commercial activity to gain momentum from next week as salaries are paid and Eid preparations intensify across the city.

"At the moment, most people are only surveying rates," said Muhammad Ramazan, a livestock trader from Muzaffargarh who had recently arrived in Lahore with a herd of goats and bulls. "Actual sales usually increase during the final days before Eid, but customers are already shocked by the prices."

This year's rates have climbed sharply for nearly every category of sacrificial animals, reflecting inflationary pressures and rising transportation and feed costs.

At Lahore's official cattle markets, small goats are currently selling for Rs90,000 to Rs120,000, while medium-sized goats and sheep are being priced at around Rs150,000. Traders are demanding between Rs300,000 and Rs400,000 for well-built, strong and larger animals, depending on their size and appearance.

Among cattle, bulls are available for prices starting from Rs250,000, while higher-quality animals are being sold between Rs300,000 and Rs500,000.